Combination step-ladder and ironing-board support.



A. S'ITTVENS.v COMBINATION STEP LADDER AND IRONING BOARD SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED 111N225, 1908. 1

Patented June 29, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A. STEVENS. COMBINATION $TBP LADDER AND IRONING BOARD SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 25,1908.

926,363. Patented June 29, 1909.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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A. STEVENS. COMBINATION STEP LADDER AND IRONING BOARD SUPPORT.

' APPLICATION FILED HD1325, 1908.

926,363. Patented June 29,1909.

BSHEBTS-SHEET 3.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIGE.

ANTHONY STEVENS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COMBINATION STEP-LADDER AND IRONING-BOARD SUPPORT.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANTHONY STEvENs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination Step-Ladders and Ironing-Board Supports; and I do doclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in combined step ladders and ironing board supports, and has for its object the production of a simple and economical device of this kind which may be easily and readily converted from a step ladder to a support for ironing boards, or vice versa.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device arranged as a step ladder; Fig. 2 is a similar view with the device arranged as a support for ironing boards; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the form of ironing board designed for use in connection with the invention; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the shelf or support and supporting means therefor; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of a section of the ladder supporting legs; Fig. 6 is a cross section taken on line 6 -6 of Fig. 5 on an enlarged scale; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the fastening plates of the ladder rails.

In the embodiment illustrated, the numeral 1 indicates the side pieces or rails of the step section between which are arranged, in the usual manner, the steps 2.

-The numeral 3 indicates the prop section of the ladder, which, as shown, comprises in ner and outer prop members, the inner of which, as 4, is connected with the top piece 5 of the ladder and. the other or outer member pivotally connected with the outer end of the inner member, each of these prop members comprising side rails 7.

In carrying out the invention, an approximately V-shaped frame 7 comprising a central flattened portion 8 and obliquely disposed side pieces 9 is rigidly connected at its ends with the outer ends of the rails 7 of the inner prop section. A second frame 9 comprising a flat cross piece 10 formed with centrally and obliquely disposed side pieces 11 is rigidly attached by means of the outer ends of its side pieces and the ends of its cross piece with the rails of the outer prop section Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 25, 1908.

Patented June 29, 1909.

Serial No. 440,264.

member. A catch 12 is screwed or other wise attached to the central portion of the cross piece 10 of said last mentioned frame and is provided at its free end with an engaging portion 13 adapted to engage the central flattened portion 8 of the frame 7 when the outer prop section member is swung inwardly into a position in alinement with the inner member of said section.

A cross bar 14 is arranged between the inner ends of the rails of the outer member of the prop section and is adapted to have its ends engage with or enter corresponding notches or recesses 15 formed in the outer ends and inner edges of the inner member of the prop section when the outer member of said section is swung outwardly into aposition in alinement therewith.

A shelf or support 16 is pivotally mounted between the rails of the inner member of the prop section andis provided with an inner V-shaped edge or portion adapted to engage with obliquely disposed stop bars 17 attached at their outer ends to the rails of the inner member when the shelf or support is swung into an approximately horizontal position. The inner ends of the stop bars terminate in straight portions 18 which extend between and are connected with the straight portions 19 of obliquely disposed brace bars 19 attached at their outer ends to the rails of the step section.

The cross bar 10 is formed near each end and in its inner side edge with notches or recesses 20 designed to engage suitable hooks or catches 21 attached to the inner side edges of the rails of the step section when the device is arranged as a support for an ironing board. The inner ends of the rails of the step section and the rails of the inner prop section member are connected with the top piece 5 by fastening plates 22, each comprising side flanges 23 which embrace opposite sides or faces of the rails and to which they are securely attached, and engaging portions 24 at opposite ends which engage opposite side edges of the top piece and are provided with inwardly and horizontally projecting portions terminating in V-shaped portions which enter the top surface of the top piece.

In practice, the ironing board 26 is provided with a suitable catch device 27 having a right-angularly bent engaging portion 28, the outer end of which is adapted for inserthe inner face of the top piece. Suitable brace rods 28 are connected to the inner ends of the rails 1 and are adapted to be engaged at their outer ends with studs 29" arranged near the outer ends of the rails of the outer member of the prop section.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood Without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is 1. In combination with the prop section of a ladder, said section comprising inner and outer pivotally connected members, a frame having a central flattened portion attached to the rails of the inner member of the prop section, a second frame comprising a cross piece arranged between the rails of the outer member of said section, and a spring catch mounted upon the cross piece of said last mentioned frame and adapted to engage the flattened portion of the first mentioned frame when the outer member of the prop section is swung inwardly into a position in alinement with the inner member thereof.

2. In a device of the class specified, the combination with the prop section of a'ladder, of a shelf or support having a V-shaped inner portion pivotall mounted between the legs thereof, oblique y extending horizontally disposed stop bars attached to the legs of the prop section and adapted to form stops to be engaged by the V-shaped portion of the shelf when the latter is swung into an approximately horizontal position, and obliquely disposed brace bars between the inner ends of the stop bars and the rails of the step section.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with the step and prop sections of a ladder, of a top piece, and fastening plates for connecting the rails of the step and prop sections with the top piece, said plates comprising side flanges embracing opposite faces of the rails and upstanding end portions engaging opposite side edges of the top piece and having inwardly and right-angularly bent portions to enter the top face of the top piece.

4:- In combination witn a ladder having a prop section composed of inner and outer pivotally connected members, a frame comprising a cross bar formed in its inner side edge with notches arranged between the rails of the outer member, and catches on the rails of the step section to enter the notches in the cross bar of said frame when the outer member of the prop section is swung into a position approximately at right angles with the inner member when the latter is in an approximately horizontal position.

5. In combination with a ladder having a prop section composed of inner and outer pivotally connected members, a frame comprising a cross bar formed in its inner side edge with notches arranged between the rails of the outer member, catches on the rails of the step section to enter the notches in the cross bar of said frame when the outer member of the prop section is swung into a position approximately at right angles with the inner member when the latter is in an ap proximately horizontal position, and brace rods between the legs of the outer member and the rails of the step section.

I11 testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ANTHONY STEVENS. I/Vitnesses JOHN AGGEN, EDWARD H. HEIDORN. 

